MORGANS RECREATE 1796 HISTORY

More than one hundred spectators lined the Morgan Mile in Brookfield, Vermont as thirteen Morgan horses raced in an official race sponsored by the Vermont Morgan Horse Association.  Modern-day registered Morgans trotted down the famous Morgan Mile Road where the famous Morgan horse named Figure and later called Justin Morgan or the Morgan Horse raced down this old Vermont road.  He was raced against two New York running horses in 1796, defeating both easily.  That stretch of road is known as the "Morgan Mile" to this day and is located close to the place Justin Morgan is said to have lived.

The thirteen horses were entered into two divisions; four in harness and nine under saddle.  Three of the four harness horses pulled wooden-wheeled vehicles.  The Morgans were raced in heats of two horses, with the fastest time of each heat recorded. 

This race was the first time since 1796 that an all-Morgan race took place on the famous Morgan Mile.  Justin Morgan won races with regularity and was considered a "fleet runner at short distances."  Running horses down public roads for what was generally an agreed upon distance of eighty rods was very common in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.  Horses were started from "scratch."  It was said that Justin Morgan could "toil all day and win races at dusk!"

Justin Morgan is considered to be the founder of the Morgan breed.  He was famed for his versatility, willingness, and even temperament.  He was able to plow fields, pull a stylish carriage, be ridden under saddle, and win in races.  His progeny went on to dominate the trotting race world until the mid-nineteenth century.  Morgans left an indelible mark on the establishment of the Standard bred breed, which had considerable influx of Morgan blood.

Modern Morgans are known for their versatility and stylishness.  They are used for sport, show, and recreation.  The first American breed can be found world wide, but Vermont remains a state where many fine Morgans are found.

The official results of the Morgan Trotting Races are

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